EnergySage and NABCEP today released the results of the fourth annual Solar Installer Survey, which gathered responses from more than 870 local, regional and national residential and commercial solar installers from across the United States.
In addition to the obvious finding that installers overwhelmingly support Chuck Schumer’s proposal to include permanent tax incentives for clean electricity and storage, is the finding that homeowners are asking for batteries in addition to their solar panels. Interestingly they are asking for Tesla batteries, which installers frequently do not have.
According to installers, more than one in three solar shoppers are also interested in a home battery, resulting in more solar-plus-storage installations in 2018. However, responses also illustrate a gap between consumer brand preference and what installers stock. While over 55 percent of installers reported that their customers specifically request Tesla battery solutions, only 12 percent of solar installers surveyed actually carry and quote the Tesla Powerwall.
The survey also shows that more than half of the installers surveyed are more confident in the solar industry in the last twelve months than they were in the past. At the state level, installer confidence rebounded in New York and California as governors in those states pushed for 100 percent renewable futures.
“At a time when it’s become clear that solar energy can provide clean energy and create jobs and economic growth, this survey shows that installers are deeply engaged in growing the industry and supportive of sensible bipartisan policy,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIAfcxudrzrrebfzde.
“The growing role of storage and community solar as a part of these companies’ portfolios demonstrates the continued emphasis on new opportunities in the solar industry,” she added
EnergySage fielded this survey between December 17th, 2018 and January 18th, 2019. In addition to EnergySage, NABCEP, the leading certification organization for renewable energy professionals, as well as several large manufacturers, distributors, publications, and industry associations sent the survey to their own installer networks. In total, 871 solar installers located across 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico participated.
“Thank you to everyone who took this year’s survey, and to the organizations that helped us gather such critical information,” said Vikram Aggarwal, CEO and founder of EnergySage. “We publish reports like this to ensure that all members of the solar industry are constantly learning from one another, and helping each other succeed.”
The full report can be downloaded for free here.
